HardwareHandheldsAsus ROG AllyAmazon has nudged the Asus ROG Ally Z1 under $400, but some of you should wait for Black FridayWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
HardwareHandheldsAsus ROG AllyAmazon has nudged the Asus ROG Ally Z1 under $400, but some of you should wait for Black FridayWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future / Tabitha Baker)
I’m always up for anAsusROG Ally deal, especially when it means grabbing one for less than a Stem Deck. Only problem is that the deepest discounts normally apply to the Z1 model, which isn’t exactly the same sort of portable powerhouse as the Z1 Extreme version. Would I still consider it for under $400? Absolutely, but only if you’re looking to play indie games and older classics.
Over at Amazon, you can currently grab the Asus ROG Ally Z1for $389(down from $499.99). That’s not a bad price for one of thebest gaming handheldoptions on the market, as even though this model has a lower-spec chipset, it boasts everything else that makes the full-fat flavor so great. Normally, this model will only drop from full price for a week or two at a time, and while it did briefly show up for $10 less back in August, this is still record-low territory.
It’s worth noting that Best Buy is an official Asus ROG Ally retailer partner, so it usually makes price cuts first. This is a rare occasion in which Amazon has beat the big box store to the punch, but there is a mysterious badge on the supermarket’s $499 listing that suggests a “Doorbuster deal” is coming soon. Not to ruin the element of surprise, but that’s actually a signal that Best Buy Plus and Total members will soon have access to discounts, so watch this space for rival offers.
Asus ROG Ally (Ryzen Z1) |$499.99$389 at AmazonSave $100 -For a change, it’s Amazon who has the cheapest ROG Ally down at a record-low price. It hasn’t dipped under $400 that often, and while it briefly managed to hit $379.99 back in August, this price is still good enough to consider ahead of Black Friday.Buy it if:✅ You want easy Game Pass access✅ You play lots of Indie games✅ You aren’t fussed about frame ratesDon’t buy it if:❌ You’d rather just play Steam games❌ You’re looking to run the latest releasesPrice Check:Walmart (out of stock)|Best Buy $499.99View Deal
Asus ROG Ally (Ryzen Z1) |$499.99$389 at AmazonSave $100 -For a change, it’s Amazon who has the cheapest ROG Ally down at a record-low price. It hasn’t dipped under $400 that often, and while it briefly managed to hit $379.99 back in August, this price is still good enough to consider ahead of Black Friday.Buy it if:✅ You want easy Game Pass access✅ You play lots of Indie games✅ You aren’t fussed about frame ratesDon’t buy it if:❌ You’d rather just play Steam games❌ You’re looking to run the latest releasesPrice Check:Walmart (out of stock)|Best Buy $499.99View Deal
Asus ROG Ally (Ryzen Z1) |$499.99$389 at AmazonSave $100 -For a change, it’s Amazon who has the cheapest ROG Ally down at a record-low price. It hasn’t dipped under $400 that often, and while it briefly managed to hit $379.99 back in August, this price is still good enough to consider ahead of Black Friday.Buy it if:✅ You want easy Game Pass access✅ You play lots of Indie games✅ You aren’t fussed about frame ratesDon’t buy it if:❌ You’d rather just play Steam games❌ You’re looking to run the latest releasesPrice Check:Walmart (out of stock)|Best Buy $499.99View Deal
Asus ROG Ally (Ryzen Z1) |$499.99$389 at AmazonSave $100 -For a change, it’s Amazon who has the cheapest ROG Ally down at a record-low price. It hasn’t dipped under $400 that often, and while it briefly managed to hit $379.99 back in August, this price is still good enough to consider ahead of Black Friday.Buy it if:✅ You want easy Game Pass access✅ You play lots of Indie games✅ You aren’t fussed about frame ratesDon’t buy it if:❌ You’d rather just play Steam games❌ You’re looking to run the latest releasesPrice Check:Walmart (out of stock)|Best Buy $499.99
Asus ROG Ally (Ryzen Z1) |$499.99$389 at AmazonSave $100 -For a change, it’s Amazon who has the cheapest ROG Ally down at a record-low price. It hasn’t dipped under $400 that often, and while it briefly managed to hit $379.99 back in August, this price is still good enough to consider ahead of Black Friday.Buy it if:✅ You want easy Game Pass access✅ You play lots of Indie games✅ You aren’t fussed about frame ratesDon’t buy it if:❌ You’d rather just play Steam games❌ You’re looking to run the latest releasesPrice Check:Walmart (out of stock)|Best Buy $499.99
Asus ROG Ally (Ryzen Z1) |$499.99$389 at AmazonSave $100 -For a change, it’s Amazon who has the cheapest ROG Ally down at a record-low price. It hasn’t dipped under $400 that often, and while it briefly managed to hit $379.99 back in August, this price is still good enough to consider ahead of Black Friday.
Buy it if:
✅ You want easy Game Pass access✅ You play lots of Indie games✅ You aren’t fussed about frame rates
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You’d rather just play Steam games❌ You’re looking to run the latest releases
Price Check:Walmart (out of stock)|Best Buy $499.99
View Deal
View Deal
View Deal
Should you buy the Asus ROG Ally Z1?
(Image credit: Future)
Before I dive into whether you should buy an Asus ROG Ally or its Z1 sibling, allow me to go over the key differences. Both devices feature a 7-inch 1080p 120Hz display, 512GB SSD, and 16GB RAM, but the lower spec option features anAMDRyzen Z1 chipset instead of a Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU. The difference between the two is far greater than you might think, with the Z1E boasting better more power-efficient performance running at 15W versus the Z1 at a full 30W.
The practical result is lower frame rates across newer and more intense PC games. You may even find that the ROG Ally Z1 can’t quite keep up with theSteam Deck OLEDdespite having a newer chip. Effectively, it all comes down to the APU having four RDNA 3 GPU cores rather than twelve with the Z1E. Asus isn’t shy about the differences here since it has shared benchmarks that show games like Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p running at a 32fps average on the cheaper ROG Ally versus 49fps on the beefier option.
(Image credit: Asus)
Keeping that large frame rate gap in mind, who is the Asus ROG Ally Z1 actually for? Well, keep in mind that it’s still a Windows 11 machine with a speedy 1080p screen, so it’s a natural candidate for lower-spec PC gaming across various storefronts. Not only will you have easy access to Xbox Game Pass and the Epic Game Store without any workarounds, but it’s still going to hit great frame rates in older releases and indie romps. It’s also going to suit players who aren’t offended at 30fps gameplay just fine or those of you who are happy scaling back to 720p.
What I will say is that withBlack Friday Steam Deck dealsvery much in the oven, a chunk of you may want to hold off for the Z1E version. I’m expecting it to drop to an all-new record low this year to combat rivals like theLenovo Legion Goand theZotac Zone, not to mention the premiumAsus ROG Ally Xnow serves as the company’s flagship device.
Even if the OG ROG Ally simply shows up for $499 again, I can see a lot of players benefiting from investing an extra $100. As much as I love handheld PCs, they can age a bit like low frame rate milk, and the Z1 will start to smell a bit whiffy running new releases in 2025. So, if you want a machine that can provide acceptable frame rates for anything outside of the indie scene in 2025, your best bet is to go for the Z1E.
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This handheld is the same size as an NES controller, but I use it to play 30 years worth of retro classics
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Will the next Lenovo Legion Go actually be a Steam Deck? It certainly smells that way to me
Will the next Lenovo Legion Go actually be a Steam Deck? It certainly smells that way to me
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
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3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
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2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
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2
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3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
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4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
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